Leaflet Attachment For Function In Various Shapes and Sizes

ABSTRACT

A prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent and a plurality of commissure features disposed on the stent. A collapsible and expandable valve assembly includes a plurality of leaflets connected to the plurality of commissure features, each commissure feature including a body having a proximal end and a distal end. A plurality of eyelets is arranged in rows and columns on the body for distributing load from the plurality of leaflets.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/781,201, filed on Feb. 28, 2013, and claims the benefit ofthe filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/666,224filed Jun. 29, 2012, the disclosures of which are both herebyincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to heart valve replacement and, inparticular, to collapsible prosthetic heart valves. More particularly,the present invention relates to collapsible prosthetic heart valvesthat may be repositioned during a deployment procedure.

Prosthetic heart valves that are collapsible to a relatively smallcircumferential size can be delivered into a patient less invasivelythan valves that are not collapsible. For example, a collapsible valvemay be delivered into a patient via a tube-like delivery apparatus suchas a catheter, a trocar, a laparoscopic instrument, or the like. Thiscollapsibility can avoid the need for a more invasive procedure such asfull open-chest, open-heart surgery.

Collapsible prosthetic heart valves typically take the form of a valvestructure mounted on a stent. There are two types of stents on which thevalve structures are ordinarily mounted: a self-expanding stent and aballoon-expandable stent. To place such valves into a delivery apparatusand ultimately into a patient, the valve must first be collapsed orcrimped to reduce its circumferential size.

When a collapsed prosthetic valve has reached the desired implant sitein the patient (e.g., at or near the annulus of the patient's heartvalve that is to be replaced by the prosthetic valve), the prostheticvalve can be deployed or released from the delivery apparatus andre-expanded to full operating size. For balloon-expandable valves, thisgenerally involves releasing the entire valve, assuring its properlocation, and then expanding a balloon positioned within the valvestent. For self-expanding valves, on the other hand, the stentautomatically expands as the sheath covering the valve is withdrawn.

In delivery systems for self-expanding aortic valves, after the deliverysystem has been positioned for deployment, the annulus end of the valvemay be unsheathed and expanded first, while the aortic end of the valveremains sheathed. Once the annulus end of the valve has expanded, it maybe determined that the valve needs to be repositioned in the patient'saortic annulus. To accomplish this, a user (such as a surgeon or aninterventional cardiologist) typically resheaths the annulus end of thevalve, so that the valve can be repositioned while in a collapsed state.After the valve has been repositioned, the user can fully deploy thevalve.

Once a self-expanding valve has been fully deployed, it expands to adiameter larger than that of the sheath that previously contained thevalve in the collapsed condition, making resheathing impossible, ordifficult at best. In order for the user to be able to more readilyresheath a valve, it is preferable that the position and operation ofthe valve be evaluated after the valve has been only partially deployed,with a portion of the valve still collapsed inside of the sheath.

Despite the various improvements that have been made to collapsibleprosthetic heart valves, conventional devices, suffer from someshortcomings. For example, in certain procedures, collapsible valves maybe implanted in a native valve annulus without first resecting thenative valve leaflets. The collapsible valves may have critical clinicalissues because of the nature of the stenotic leaflets that are left inplace. Additionally, patients with uneven calcification, bi-cuspiddisease, and/or valve insufficiency could not be treated well, if atall, with the current collapsible designs.

The reliance on evenly calcified leaflets could lead to several problemssuch as: (1) perivalvular leakage (PV leak), (2) valve migration, (3)mitral valve impingement, (4) conduction system disruption, (5) coronaryblockage, etc., all of which can have severely adverse clinicaloutcomes. To reduce these adverse events, the optimal valve would sealand anchor adequately without the need for excessive radial force,protrusion into the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT), etc., thatcould harm nearby anatomy and physiology.

There therefore is a need for further improvements to the devices andsystems of collapsible prosthetic heart valves, and in particular,self-expanding prosthetic heart valves. Among other advantages, thepresent invention may address one or more of these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In some embodiments, a prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible andexpandable stent having a proximal end, a distal end, an annulus sectionadjacent the proximal end and an aortic section adjacent the distal end.The heart valve further includes a plurality of commissure featuresdisposed on the stent and a collapsible and expandable valve assembly,the valve assembly including a plurality of leaflets connected to theplurality of commissure features. Each commissure feature includes abody having a proximal end a distal end, and a plurality of eyeletsarranged in at least two rows and at least two columns for distributingload from the plurality of leaflets.

In some examples, each of the plurality of commissure features includesa body that is substantially rectangular. Additionally, each of theplurality of commissure features may include at least three rows ofeyelets disposed on the body. Each of the plurality of commissurefeatures may include two columns of eyelets disposed on the body. Eachof the plurality of eyelets may be substantially the same shape and/orsize.

In some embodiments, a prosthetic valve assembly for assembly to acollapsible and expandable stent includes a stent having a plurality ofcommissure features, each commissure feature including a body having alongitudinal direction extending between a proximal end and a distalend, and a plurality of eyelets arranged in a plurality of columns eachextending in the longitudinal direction, the body having a width in adirection orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. The valve assemblymay include a plurality of leaflets, each leaflet having a top free edgefor coapting with others of the leaflets and including at least onerectangular tab foldable upon itself along a fold line for attaching toa commissure feature at a leaflet-commissure feature junction, the atleast one rectangular tab having a width which is at least as long asthe width of the body.

In some examples, the tab includes a distal end extending beyond thedistal end of the body when the tab is aligned for attachment to thecommissure feature. A flap may be coupled to one side of the tab toprovide an additional buffer at the leaflet-commissure feature junction.

In some embodiments a prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible andexpandable stent having a proximal end, a distal end, an annulus sectionadjacent the proximal end and an aortic section adjacent the distal end.A plurality of commissure features may be disposed on the stent, eachcommissure feature including a body having a longitudinal directionextending between a proximal end and a distal end, and a plurality ofeyelets arranged in at least two columns extending in the longitudinaldirection and at least two rows extending in a direction orthogonal tothe longitudinal direction, for distributing load from the plurality ofleaflets. A collapsible and expandable valve assembly may include aplurality of leaflets connected to the plurality of commissure featuresvia a suture pattern. The plurality of eyelets may be arranged in twocolumns and the suture pattern forms an “X” pattern between an eyelet ina first of the column and an adjacent eyelet of a second in the columns.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the present invention are described herein withreference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partial side elevational view of a prosthetic heart valveincluding a valve assembly and a stent;

FIG. 2A is an end view of a prosthetic heart valve as seen from theaortic sinus toward the heart and the native valve annulus, the valvehaving in a circular configuration;

FIG. 2B is an end view of a prosthetic heart valve as seen from theaortic sinus toward the heart and the native valve annulus, the valvehaving an elliptical configuration;

FIGS. 3A-C are end views of the prosthetic heart valve of FIG. 1 invarious less than ideal configurations due to anatomical differences inthe native valve morphology from patient to patient;

FIG. 4 is a partial side elevational view of the prosthetic heart valveof FIG. 1 depicting areas of high stress on the valve assembly;

FIG. 5A is an enlarged, schematic side view of a commissure feature of aprosthetic heart valve showing the distribution of load therein;

FIG. 5B is an enlarged, schematic side view of a commissure featureshowing the load distribution therein according to one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 6A-S are enlarged schematic side views of several embodiments ofcommissure features according to the present invention;

FIG. 7A is an enlarged, schematic side view of the commissure feature ofFIG. 5A being attached to a leaflet;

FIG. 7B is an enlarged, schematic side view of the commissure feature ofFIG. 6F being attached to a leaflet;

FIG. 7C is an enlarged, schematic side view of another example of acommissure feature according to the present invention;

FIG. 8A is an enlarged, schematic side view a conventional valveleaflet;

FIG. 8B is an enlarged, schematic side view of a first embodiment of avalve leaflet according the present invention;

FIG. 8C is an enlarged, schematic side view of a second embodiment of avalve leaflet according to the present invention;

FIG. 8D is an enlarged, schematic side view of a third embodiment of avalve leaflet according to the present invention;

FIGS. 9A-B are enlarged, schematic side views of a conventional leafletand a leaflet according to the present invention, showing the tab-freeedge attachment;

FIGS. 10A-B are enlarged, schematic side views showing a suture patternattaching leaflets to a commissure feature as shown from the ablumenalside and the lumenal side of the valve, respectively;

FIG. 10C is an enlarged, schematic view of FIG. 10A showing theattachment points of the suture pattern in more detail;

FIGS. 11A-B are enlarged, schematic side views showing another suturepattern attaching leaflets to a commissure feature as shown from theablumenal side and the lumenal side of the valve respectively;

FIGS. 12A-B are enlarged, schematic side views showing a further suturepattern attaching leaflets to a commissure feature as shown from theablumenal side and the lumenal side of the valve respectively; and

FIGS. 13A-B are enlarged, schematic side views showing yet anothersuture pattern attaching leaflets to a commissure feature as shown fromthe ablumenal side and the lumenal side of the valve respectively.

Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described withreference to the appended drawings. It is to be appreciated that thesedrawings depict only some embodiments of the invention and are thereforenot to be considered limiting of its scope.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein, the term “proximal,” when used in connection with aprosthetic heart valve, refers to the end of the heart valve closest tothe heart when the heart valve is implanted in a patient, whereas theterm “distal,” when used in connection with a prosthetic heart valve,refers to the end of the heart valve farthest from the heart when theheart valve is implanted in a patient.

FIG. 1 shows a collapsible prosthetic heart valve 100 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure. The prosthetic heart valve 100 isdesigned to replace the function of a native aortic valve of a patient.Examples of collapsible prosthetic heart valves are described inInternational Patent Application Publication No. WO/2009/042196; U.S.Pat. No. 7,018,406; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,329,278, the disclosures of allof which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. As discussed indetail below, the prosthetic heart valve has an expanded condition and acollapsed condition. Although the invention is described herein asapplied to a prosthetic heart valve for replacing a native aortic valve,the invention is not so limited, and may be applied to prosthetic valvesfor replacing other types of cardiac valves.

The prosthetic heart valve 100 includes a stent or frame 102, which maybe wholly or partly formed of any biocompatible material, such asmetals, synthetic polymers, or biopolymers capable of functioning as astent. Suitable biopolymers include, but are not limited to, elastin,and mixtures or composites thereof. Suitable metals include, but are notlimited to, cobalt, titanium, nickel, chromium, stainless steel, andalloys thereof, including nitinol. Suitable synthetic polymers for useas a stent include, but are not limited to, thermoplastics, such aspolyolefins, polyesters, polyamides, polysulfones, acrylics,polyacrylonitriles, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), and polyaramides. Thestent 102 may have an annulus section 110 an aortic section (not shown)and a transition section (not shown) disposed between the annulussection and the aortic section. Each of the annulus section 110, thetransition section and the aortic section of the stent 102 includes aplurality of cells 112 connected to one another around the stent. Theannulus section 110 and the aortic section of the stent 102 may includeone or more annular rows of cells 112 connected to one another. Forinstance, the annulus section 110 may have two annular rows of cells112. When the prosthetic heart valve 100 is in the expanded condition,each cell 112 may be substantially diamond shaped. Regardless of itsshape, each cell 112 is formed by a plurality of struts 114. Forexample, a cell 112 may be formed by four struts 114.

The stent 102 may include commissure features 116 connecting at leasttwo cells 112 in the longitudinal direction of the stent 102. Thecommissure features 116 may include eyelets for facilitating thesuturing of a valve assembly 104 to the sent 102.

The prosthetic heart valve 100 also includes a valve assembly 104attached inside the annulus section 110 of the stent 102. United StatesPatent Application Publication No. 2008/0228264, filed Mar. 12, 2007,and United States Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0147179, filedDec. 19, 2007, the entire disclosures of both of which are herebyincorporated herein by reference, describe suitable valve assemblies.The valve assembly 104 may be wholly or partly formed of any suitablebiological material or polymer. Examples of biological materialssuitable for the valve assembly 104 include, but are not limited to,porcine or bovine pericardial tissue. Examples of polymers suitable forthe valve assembly 104 include, but are not limited to, polyurethane andpolyester. In at least some examples, portions of valve assembly 104, acuff and the suture used may include an ultra high molecular weightpolyethylene, such as FORCE FIBER®.

The valve assembly 104 may include a cuff 106 disposed on the lumenalsurface of annulus section 110, on the ablumenal surface of annulussection 110, or on both surfaces, and the cuff may cover all or part ofeither or both of the lumenal and ablumenal surfaces of the annulussection. The cuff 106 and/or the sutures used to attach the valveassembly 104 to stent 102 may be formed from or includeultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene. FIG. 1 shows cuff 106 disposedon the lumenal surface of annulus section 110 so as to cover part of theannulus section while leaving another part thereof uncovered. The cuff106 may be attached to stent 102 by one or more strings or suturespassing through the cuff and around selected struts 114 of the stent.The valve assembly 104 may further include a plurality of leaflets 108which collectively function as a one-way valve. A first edge 122 of eachleaflet 108 may be attached to the stent 102 between two adjacentcommissure features 116 by any suitable attachment means, such assuturing, stapling, adhesives, laser, heat or ultrasonic bonding or thelike. For example, the first edge 122 of each leaflet 108 may be suturedto the stent 102 by passing strings or sutures through the cuff 106 ofthe valve assembly 104. The leaflets 108 may be attached to the stent102 along at least some struts 114 of the stent and through the eyeletsin the commissure features 116 to enhance the structural integrity ofthe valve assembly 104. A second or free edge 124 of each leaflet 108may coapt with the corresponding free edges of the other leaflets,thereby enabling the leaflets to function collectively as a one-wayvalve.

As shown in FIG. 1, at least one leaflet 108 may be attached to thestent 102 so that its first edge 122 is disposed substantially alongspecific struts 114 a, 114 b, 114 c, 114 d, 114 e and 114 f located inthe annulus section 110 of the stent. That is, the edge 122 ispositioned in substantial alignment with struts 114 a, 114 b, 114 c, 114d, 114 e, and 114 f. Struts 114 a, 114 b, and 114 c may be connected toone another in substantially end-to-end fashion diagonally along threecells 112, beginning with an end of the strut 114 a connected to acommissure feature 116 and ending with an end of strut 114 c connectedto an end of strut 114 d. Struts 114 c and 114 d are part of the samecell 112 and may collectively define a substantially right angle betweenthem. Struts 114 d, 114 e, and 114 f may be connected to one another insubstantially end-to-end fashion diagonally along three cells 112,beginning with an end of the strut 114 f connected to a commissurefeature 116 and ending with the connection between an end of strut 114 cand an end of strut 114 d.

As discussed above, the leaflets 108 may be attached directly to andsupported by the struts 114 a, 114 b, 114 c, 114 d, 114 e, and 114 f,and by commissure features 116, such as by suturing. In such event, thecuff 106 may perform little or no supportive function for the leaflets108. Hence, the cuff 106 is not subjected to high stresses and istherefore less likely to wear during use. In light of this, thethickness of the cuff may be reduced. Reducing the thickness of the cuff106 results in a decrease in the volume of the valve assembly 104 in thecollapsed condition. This decreased volume is desirable as it enablesthe prosthetic heart valve 100 to be implanted in a patient using adelivery device that is smaller in cross-section than conventionaldelivery devices. In addition, since the material forming the stentstruts 114 is stronger than the material forming the cuff 106, the stentstruts 114 may perform the supportive function for the leaflets 108better than the cuff 106.

The volume of the valve assembly 104 may be further reduced by havingthe cuff 106 cover only a portion of the surface of annulus section 110.With continued reference to FIG. 1, the first or proximal end 118 of thecuff 106 may substantially follow the contour of the first or proximalend 119 of the stent 102. As such, the proximal end of the cuff 106 mayhave a generally sinusoidal or zigzag shape. This eliminates any freeedge of the cuff 106, which otherwise might extend directly between thecusps of the cells 112 at the proximal end 119 of the stent 102, andenables the entire length of the proximal end 118 of the cuff 106 to besecured to the stent 102. The second or distal end 120 of the cuff 106,on the other hand, may be disposed substantially along at least somestruts 114, but not necessarily the struts in a single annular row ofcells 112. More particularly, the distal end 120 of the cuff 106 mayfollow the stent struts 114 up to the commissure features 116, such thatthe cuff covers all of the cells 112 in the bottom annular row 113 ofcells and in a second annular row 115 of cells located between thecommissure features and the proximal end 119 of the stent 102, butcovers a lesser area of cells in the annular regions between thecommissure features. In other words, the distal end 120 of the cuff 106may be disposed substantially along struts 114 a, 114 b, 114 e, 114 f,114 g and 114 h, as shown in FIG. 1. Strut 114 g may be connected at oneend to strut 114 h, and at the other end to the intersection of struts114 b and 114 c. Strut 114 h may be connected at one end to strut 114 g,and at the other end to the intersection of struts 114 d and 114 e.Struts 114 c, 114 d, 114 g, and 114 h collectively form a single cell112.

As a result of the foregoing configuration, all of the cells 112 in thebottom annular row 113 of cells may be entirely covered by the cuff 106.The cuff 106 may also entirely cover those cells 112 in the secondannular row 115 that are located directly below the commissure features116. All of the other cells 112 in the stent 102 may be open or notcovered by the cuff 106. Hence, there may be no cells 112 which are onlypartially covered by the cuff 106.

Since the edges of the valve leaflets 108 extend up to the secondannular row 115 of cells 112 only in the regions of the commissurefeatures 116, there is little to no likelihood of leakage in the area ofthe cells between the commissure features in the second annular row ofcells, and therefore no need for the cuff 106 to cover this area. Thisreduction in the area of the cuff 106, both at the proximal end 118 andat the distal end 120 thereof, reduces the amount of material in thevalve assembly 104, thereby enabling the prosthetic valve 100 to achievea smaller cross-section in the collapsed condition.

In operation, the embodiments of the prosthetic heart valve 100described above may be used to replace a native heart valve, such as theaortic valve, a surgical heart valve or a heart valve that has undergonea surgical procedure. The prosthetic heart valve may be delivered to thedesired site (e.g., near a native aortic annulus) using any suitabledelivery device. During delivery, the prosthetic heart valve is disposedinside the delivery device in the collapsed condition. The deliverydevice may be introduced into a patient using a transfemoral,transapical, transseptal, tranxaxillary or other approach. Once thedelivery device has reached the target site, the user may deploy theprosthetic heart valve. Upon deployment, the prosthetic heart valveexpands into secure engagement within the native aortic annulus. Whenthe prosthetic heart valve is properly positioned inside the heart, itworks as a one-way valve, allowing blood to flow in one direction andpreventing blood from flowing in the opposite direction.

In certain procedures, collapsible valves may be implanted in a nativevalve annulus without first resecting the native valve leaflets. Thecollapsible valves may have critical clinical issues because of thenature of the stenotic leaflets that are left in place. Additionally,patients with uneven calcification, bi-cuspid aortic valve disease,and/or valve insufficiency could not be treated well, if at all, withthe current collapsible designs.

The reliance on evenly calcified leaflets could lead to several problemssuch as: (1) perivalvular leakage (PV leak), (2) valve migration, (3)mitral valve impingement, (4) conduction system disruption, (5) coronaryblockage, etc., all of which can have severely adverse clinicaloutcomes. To reduce these adverse events, the optimal valve would sealand anchor adequately without the need for excessive radial force,protrusion into the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT), etc., thatcould harm nearby anatomy and physiology.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show an end view of a prosthetic heart valve 200 as seenfrom the outflow or downstream side of the valve assembly, e.g., lookingfrom the aorta or aortic sinus toward the heart and the native valveannulus. As seen in FIG. 2A, the valve assembly includes a stent 202 andvalve leaflets 208 a, 208 b, and 208 c attached to the stent and tocommissure features 216 a, 216 b, and 216 c. At least one edge of eachleaflet 208 is sutured to the stent 202 and to two of the threecommissure features 216, leaving at least one edge free to move inresponse to the pumping of blood. As the blood pressure in the leftventricle increases, the free edges of the leaflets move away from oneanother to allow blood to flow from the left ventricle to the aorta,following which the free edges move toward one another and coapt toprevent blood from flowing back from the aorta into the left ventricle.

It will be understood that the coaptation of “the free edges” of thevalve leaflets does not necessarily mean that the actual edges meet perse. Indeed, the leaflets are preferably sized, shaped, and attached suchthat a suitable “belly” contour is formed. And the leaflets should eachinclude a portion extending from the free edge toward the annulus(referred to herein as a “coaptation section”) that may engage thecoaptation sections of the other leaflets such that there will be asurface area of contact between the leaflets rather than edge-to-edgecontact. This surface area of contact is important so that, when in aclosed or “coapted” condition, the leaflets cooperate to substantiallyprevent backflow or regurgitation of blood through the valve. Theseareas of actual contact between the coaptation sections of adjacentleaflets are referred to herein as the coaptation junctions of theleaflets and are illustrated in FIG. 2A at 211 a, 211 b, and 211 c. Thecoaptation section of each leaflet may range in size as a particularvalve design demands, but generally will be sufficient to provide sometolerance or ability to form a coaptation junction even if the shape ofthe valve is distorted during placement, as illustrated in FIG. 2B.

The annulus section of prosthetic heart valve 200 has a generallyregular cylindrical shape by which is meant that the structure has agenerally circular cross-section with a substantially constant diameteralong its length. When placed in the annulus of a native heart valve,such as, for example, the tricuspid aortic valve, and expanded, asubstantially fluid-tight fit should result. However, the native valveannulus may not be circular, and, in fact, may vary from patient topatient, as may the shape of the aortic sinus or aorta, the angle of thejunction between the valve annulus and the aortic sinus, and other localanatomical features. When prosthetic heart valve 200 is deployed andexpanded, it must accommodate these anatomical variations in order tofunction properly. This may result in a distortion in the shape of stent202 and/or valve assembly 204, and the repositioning of leaflets 208 a,208 b, and 208 c relative to one another, which can affect thecoaptation junctions 211 a, 211 b, and 211 c.

As the stent of a collapsible prosthetic heart valve distorts duringimplantation, during beating of the heart, or because of irregularitiesin the patient's anatomy or the condition of the native valve, suchdistortion may be translated to the valve assembly, such that not all ofthe valve leaflets meet to form effective coaptation junctions. This canresult in leakage or regurgitation and other inefficiencies which canreduce cardiac performance. Moreover, if the prosthetic valve is notplaced optimally and the valve leaflets are not coapting as intended,other long term effects, such as uneven wear of the individual leaflets,can be postulated.

As shown in FIG. 2B, ideally, valve leaflets 208 a, 208 b, and 208 cfully coapt despite the distortion of the annulus section (hidden behindthe valve leaflets in this figure) into a more elongated or ellipticalconfiguration. As will be appreciated, the distortion of the annulussection affects the relative positions of commissure features 216 a-c,as well as the positions of leaflets 208 a-c relative to one another.The ability of the valve leaflets 208 a-c to fully coapt despite thisdistortion enables prosthetic valve 200 to function in the mannerintended.

FIGS. 3A-C illustrate a series of prosthetic heart valve as seen fromthe downstream side of the valve assembly, e.g., looking from the aortaor aortic sinus toward the heart and the native valve annulus. Each ofthese valves has an elliptical configuration resulting from the shape ofthe native valve annulus, calcification and possibly other defects. Asseen in FIGS. 3A-C, the imperfect geometry the valve assumes results ininadequate coaptation of the leaflets 208 a-c. Specifically, theleaflets 208 of these valves are incapable of complete coaptation whendisposed in a native valve annulus with an elliptical, ovoid orotherwise non-circular configuration. In some examples, a gap 238 may beevident between the leaflets 208 in what should be the fully closedcondition. Such inadequate coaptation may lead to leakage andregurgitation as discussed above.

In addition to inadequate coaptation, less than ideal native valvegeometry may also increase the stresses on certain portions of theprosthetic heart valve. FIG. 4 is a partial side view of a prostheticheart valve 400 having a stent 402 and a valve assembly 404 disposed inthe annulus section 410 of the stent. Within the heart valve 400,leaflets 408 are attached to cuff 406 via sutures. Specifically, FIG. 4shows the load distribution in the valve assembly. When leaflets 408coapt to form a closed configuration, load is transferred from theleaflet structure to the leaflet-commissure feature junction asindicated by “A”. The load distribution diagram shows that high pointloads are generated at region “A” where the leaflets are joined to thecommissure feature 416. If the point loads at regions “A” aresufficiently high, the leaflets may tear from the commissure feature.Thus, regions A may be prone to failure.

Features of this aspect of the present invention will be described inconnection with the commissure features shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. Itwill also be noted that while the inventions herein described arepredominately discussed in terms of a tricuspid valve and a stent havinga shape as illustrated in FIG. 1, the valve could be a bicuspid valve,such as the mitral valve, and the stent could have different shapes,such as a flared or conical annulus section, a less-bulbous aorticsection, and the like, and a differently shaped transition section.

FIG. 5A illustrates a previous version of a commissure feature 500coupled to struts 514 for attaching a valve assembly to the stent.Commissure feature 500 is formed of a body 502 having a pair of eyelets504. Leaflets (not shown) may be attached via sutures to commissurefeature 500 through eyelets 504 and struts 514. Load is distributedacross the area of commissure feature 500 as shown in FIG. 5A.Specifically, stress from the leaflets is distributed across area L1 ofthe commissure feature 500.

FIG. 5B illustrates a commissure feature 600 coupled to struts 614according to one embodiment of the present invention. Commissure feature600 is formed of a body 602 having a plurality of eyelets 604 arrangedin rows and/or columns. Leaflets (not shown) may be attached viasutures, glue, staples or any suitable means to commissure feature 600through eyelets 604 and struts 614. Stress from the leaflets isdistributed across area L2 of the commissure feature 600, as shown inFIG. 5B. Details of commissure feature 600 will be described in greaterdetail with reference to FIGS. 6A-J. It will suffice to note at thispoint that a comparison of FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrates the difference inthe area for load distribution between commissure features 500 and 600.Specifically, commissure feature 600 provides a larger area L2 acrosswhich the stress from the leaflets is distributed when compared to areaL1 of commissure features 500. A larger area for distributing loads maydecrease the chance of failure at the commissure feature-leafletattachment. Moreover, increasing the spacing between eyelets 604 mayallow the valve to function better acutely and chronically. The benefitof wider-spaced eyelets may be recognized in improved ease ofmanufacturing, which in turn generally leads to improved yields forfunctional and visual valve criteria. Ease of manufacturing reduces thelikelihood for tolerance stack-ups related to tissue folding andalignment. This may also reduce need for pinching or manipulation of thevalve during assembly.

FIGS. 6A-J illustrates several specific embodiments of commissurefeatures according to the present invention, all of which have the samegeneral shape and characteristics. It will be appreciated that thecommissure features described in these figures are exemplary and shouldnot be considered limiting. Moreover, the described features in thefollowing embodiments may be combined or modified in any desirablemanner.

FIG. 6A illustrates a commissure feature 600 according to one embodimentof the present invention. Commissure feature 600 includes a body 602having a proximal end 610 and a distal end 620, and a plurality ofeyelets 604 disposed therein. Specifically, the commissure feature 600of FIG. 6A includes four rows of eyelets 604 along the length of body602, each row including two eyelets so as to form two columns ofeyelets. The rows of eyelets 604 may be evenly spaced and of the sameshape and size, as illustrated in FIG. 6A, so as to be symmetrical withrespect to a central longitudinal axis of body 602. As depicted, theeyelets 604 are all in the shape of similarly sized squares. Body 602 iscoupled to struts 614 at its proximal end 610 and distal end 620.Leaflets (not shown) may be attached via sutures to commissure feature600 through eyelets 604.

FIG. 6B illustrates a second embodiment of commissure feature 600 whichis similar to that of FIG. 6A, with two exceptions. First, recesses 608are disposed on the side edges of the body 602 near the distal end 620.Recesses 608 may be formed as indentations or depressions in body 602and sutures may be wrapped around or disposed within the recesses. Suchrecesses may be useful in not only securing and guiding a suture, butalso in protecting the suture from adjacent cells, a delivery system orother anatomical bodies that may damage it. Second, the plurality ofeyelets 604 are not evenly spaced in FIG. 6B. Though the four rows ofeyelets 604 are evenly spaced in the longitudinal direction, each of thefirst three rows of eyelets (beginning at the proximal end) 610 of body402 has a pair of eyelets spaced a first distance from the central axisof the body, while the fourth row has a pair of eyelets spaced closer toone another and closer to the central axis of the body. Nonetheless, thepattern of eyelets 604 in this commissure feature 600 is alsosymmetrical with respect to the central longitudinal axis of body 602,the row in which the eyelets are spaced closer to one another need notbe the fourth row, but may be any row. In addition, the eyelets may bespaced closer to one another in more than one row. Spacing may depend onleaflet thickness and where the free edge transitions so as to not pinchthe leaflets too tightly together or abrade the free edge of the leafletas it moves.

Another embodiment of commissure feature 600 is depicted in FIG. 6C. Inthis commissure feature, eyelets 604 are not all the same size. Instead,the first row of eyelets (beginning at the proximal end 610 of body 602)includes larger square eyelets 604 a and 604 b, while the next threerows include smaller, rectangular eyelets 604 c-h. While depicted in thefirst row, the larger square eyelets can be in any row, and in more thanone row. All four rows of eyelets may be evenly spaced in thelongitudinal direction, and the pattern of eyelets is symmetrical withrespect to the central longitudinal axis of body 602.

FIG. 6D illustrates another embodiment of commissure feature 600including four rows of eyelets 604 having the same shape but differentsizes. The first three rows of eyelets 604 (beginning at the proximalend 610 of body 602) are all squares of substantially the same size,while the fourth row has square eyelets 604 of a smaller size. The rowof eyelets having a different size (smaller or larger) need not be thefourth row, but may be any row. Moreover, the different-sized eyeletsneed not be limited to one row, but may be disposed in any number ofrows. Regardless of the eyelets sizes, the pattern of eyelets 604 inthis commissure feature is symmetrical to the central longitudinal axisof body 602.

In another embodiment of commissure feature 600, illustrated in FIG. 6E,three rows of substantially the same size square eyelets 604 aredisposed toward the distal end 620 of body 602 and a single, elongatedeyelet 606 is disposed near the proximal end 610 of the body. Thiscommissure feature further includes a pair of recesses 608 disposed onthe side edges of body 602 near the distal end 620.

FIG. 6F illustrates an embodiment of commissure feature 600 that issimilar to that of FIG. 6E, but with recesses 608 disposed near theproximal end 610 of body 602 (adjacent the single eyelet 608). Theeyelets 604 in this commissure feature may be larger or smaller thanthose in the commissure feature of FIG. 6E.

FIG. 6G illustrates an embodiment in which commissure feature 600includes four rows of eyelets 604 and an additional elongated eyelet608. It will be understood from this embodiment that the number of rowsof eyelets 608 may be varied as desired. Body 602 further includesrecesses 608 near its proximal end 610.

The commissure feature 600 of FIG. 6H is substantially the same as thatof FIG. 6G, but includes additional recesses 608 on the distal end 620of body 602 adjacent either side of the strut 614.

A commissure feature 600 with a slightly shorter body 602 is illustratedin FIG. 6I. This commissure feature includes three rows of eyelets 604which are substantially evenly spaced on body 602. The eyelets 604 inthe first row (beginning at the proximal end 610 of body 602) areslightly larger than those in the second and third rows. They also maybe slightly smaller than the eyelets in the other rows. The row ofeyelets having a different size (smaller or larger) need not be thefirst row, but may be any row. Further, the different sized eyelets neednot be limited to one row, but may be disposed in any number of rows.Although commissure feature 600 is depicted in FIG. 6I as slightlyshorter but about the same width as the commissure features depicted inFIGS. 6A-6H, the commissure feature of FIG. 6I may have a body 602 thatis slightly wider than those of the other figures.

FIG. 6J illustrates yet a further embodiment of commissure feature 600having three rows of eyelets 604 of substantially the same size andshape disposed on the shorter, body 602. Additionally, this commissurefeature includes a single, elongated eyelet 606 disposed at the proximalend 610 of body 602, and a pair of recesses 608 disposed on the sideedges of the body near its proximal end.

FIG. 6K illustrates a commissure feature 600 having three dome-shapedbodies 602 connected in series via struts 614. In this example, eachdome-shaped body 602 has a pair of eyelets 604. The two eyelets 604 maybe the same size or different sizes as illustrated. As seen in FIG. 6K,commissure feature 600 includes three bodies 602, although it will beunderstood that commissure feature 600 may include two, three, four,five, six or more bodies 602.

FIG. 6L illustrates a commissure feature 600 having three dome-shapedbodies 602 connected in series via struts 614 similar to that of FIG.6K. In this example, however, two of the bodies 602 are connected viasuspension struts 624. Suspension struts 624 may provide greaterflexibility for commissure feature 600 during valve loading into adelivery device, in the process of delivery, and in operation of theheart valve. As seen in FIG. 6L, in one example, suspension struts 624are formed as a pair of struts that diverge at a first body and begin toconverge halfway before meeting at a second body 602. Suspension struts624 may be formed in the shape of a diamond as shown in FIG. 6L.Alternatively, instead of diamond-shaped struts, struts 624 may form aserpentine spring, flat coil. Bodies 602 may also be disjointed orconnected by suture, fabric and/or a polymer. In at least some examples,struts 624 may include radiopaque markers, interlocks for valve-in-valveconfigurations, or delivery system interlock sites. Additionally, thoughshown between bodies 602, struts 624 may be disposed above and/or beloweach of the bodies.

As seen in FIG. 6M, the commissure feature need not include threeidentical dome-shaped bodies, but may include oval bodies 602 havingsingle eyelets. Oval bodies 602 may be disposed in series at the end ofthe commissure feature 600 or may alternate with other multiple-eyeletbodies in a column. It will be understood that suspension struts 624 mayconnect any or all of the bodies described herein.

FIG. 6N illustrates a commissure feature 600 having a dome-shaped body602 connected to a second body 602 having a square configuration andfour eyelets 604. Thus, in this configuration, one body includes asingle column of eyelets, while a second body includes multiple columnsof eyelets 604. As seen in FIGS. 6N and 6O, different-shaped bodies maybe connected by single struts 614 or suspension struts 624.

Two square-shaped bodies 602 may be connected to form a commissurefeature 600 as seen in FIG. 6P. As seen in this configuration, each body602 includes four eyelets 604 arranged in two rows and two columns.Suspension struts 624 connect the two square-shaped bodies.

FIGS. 6Q and 6R illustrate two additional examples in which thecommissure features include square-shaped bodies connected torectangular bodies. In FIG. 6Q, a square-shaped body is connected to arectangular body 602 having two columns of three eyelets 604. These twobodies 602 are connected via suspension struts 624. In the examplesshown in FIG. 6R, the square-shaped body 602 is connected to arectangular body 602 having two rows, each row having three eyelets 604.

FIG. 6S illustrates a commissure feature having a dome-shaped body 602connected to a rectangular body having two rows of eyelets, each rowhaving three eyelets 604. It will be understood that the presentinvention contemplates various combinations of oval, dome-shaped,square. Moreover, the eyelets may also be circular, rectangular,trapezoidal as well as any other suitable shape.

Although the commissure features have been described herein as havingthree or four row of eyelets, any number of rows and/or columns ofeyelets may be used, each row and/or column having any number ofeyelets. Preferably, the commissure features have at least two rows ofeyelets, more preferably at least three rows of eyelets, with at leasttwo eyelets in each row (in other words, at least two columns ofeyelets). Moreover, the shapes and sizes of the eyelets in one or morerows may be the same as or different from the shapes and sizes of theeyelets in the other rows. Preferably, however, the shapes and sizes ofthe eyelets within each row are substantially the same so that thecommissure feature has substantial symmetry with respect to the centrallongitudinal axis of body 602.

FIG. 7A illustrates the previous version commissure feature 500, whileFIG. 7B illustrates one of the commissure features 600 according to thepresent invention. Commissure feature 600 is similar to that describedabove with reference to FIG. 6F and includes an elongated eyelet 606,and three rows of square eyelets 604 having substantially the same size,each row having two eyelets. Commissure feature 600 further includes apair of recesses 608 near the proximal end of body 602 for severallyattaching a suture to the body. A silhouette of the end of a leaflet 750is superimposed over the commissure feature in each figure. As seen bycomparing FIGS. 7A and 7B, commissure feature 600 has a larger area andmore eyelets than commissure feature 500. As a result, leaflet 750 maybesupported by a larger area with commissure feature 600 then withcommissure feature 500. Thus, the load exerted on leaflets 750 may bedistributed more uniformly over a larger area with commissure feature600, resulting in better performance and less likelihood of failure ascompared to commissure feature 500. Moreover, as will be discussed ingreater detail, suture attachment to commissure feature 500 typicallyresults in a terminating knot in a cell of the stent below thecommissure feature 500. Instead, as will be described below, terminationof the suture attachment is disposed in the most distal eyelet withinthe commissure feature. The top portion of leaflet 750 may be alignedabove, below or in-line with the top of the commissure attachment.

FIG. 7C illustrates another example of a commissure feature according tothe present invention. Commissure feature 700 of FIG. 7C combinesdesirable features of both commissure features 500 and 600 describedabove. Specifically, commissure feature 700 is both shorter and narrowerto allow for more flexibility when tracking over a curve. Moreover, whencollapsed, commissure feature 700 is less likely to interfere withadjacent struts because it can nest within thin support struts betweenthe aorta and annulus sections without interference. The sutureattachment is allowed to terminate in the bottom T-shaped eyelet 706 ofcommissure feature 700. Additionally, the leaflet belly suture itselfmay terminate within the commissure feature so as to protect it duringcrimping, loading, resheathing, and distortion after implant.

In addition to the improved commissure feature, the leaflets may beconstructed to yield improved performance. For example, the size, shapeand curvature of the leaflets may be chosen to correspond to thecommissure feature to which the leaflets will be attached. FIGS. 8A-Cillustrates several embodiments of leaflets exhibiting these designconsiderations.

FIG. 8A illustrates a previous version of a leaflet 750 having a freeedge 752 for coapting with other leaflets and a tab 754 at each end ofthe free edge for attaching the leaflet to a commissure feature. In someexamples, two leaflets may be attached to each other and to a commissurefeature.

FIG. 8B illustrates a leaflet 850 according to the present invention.Leaflet 850 has a free edge 852 for coapting with other leaflets and atab 854 at each end of the free edge for attaching the leaflet to acommissure feature. As seen by comparing the leaflets in FIGS. 8A and8B, the dimensions and shapes of a leaflet may be modified to improveperformance. Specifically, the tab 754 of leaflet 750 is formed withheight y1 and width x1. While this height and width may be sufficient tofully cover the previous version commissure feature 500, they may be toosmall to fully cover the longer commissure features 600 of the presentinvention. In contrast, the tab 854 of leaflet 850 may have an increasedheight of y2, enabling the tab to fully cover, and even extend beyondthe height of, commissure feature 600. Tab 854 may also have a greaterwidth x2 than tab 754. This greater width provides tab 854 with agreater area to fold about fold line 856 and attach to a commissurefeature 600, thereby providing leaflet 850 with greater abrasionresistance. The height of the belly portion of the leaflets may also bemodified. As seen in FIG. 8A, leaflet 750 has a belly height of f1between the bottom of the leaflet and the free edge 752. In contrast,the belly height f2 of leaflet 850 may be greater. Without being boundby any particular theory, it is believed that the greater belly heightof leaflet 850 may allow for better leaflet coaptation in elliptical andother distorted configurations.

FIG. 8B further illustrates the use of an additional reinforcementmaterial 860 being used as a stress distributor, reinforced and buffer.A thin layer of reinforcement material 860 may be is sandwiched and/ordisposed between the folded layers of tab 854. The tab 854 may be foldedover the reinforcement material 860 to provide additional strength andsupport to the leaflet-commissure attachment area. The reinforcementmaterial 860 may be a fabric, tissue or polymer sheet material and maybe attached via sutures, bio-glue, weaving and or slots in thereinforcement material.

As seen in FIGS. 8C and 8D, additional material may be attached to tabs854 in the tabs may be formed with additional structures. For example,in FIG. 8C, each tab 854 includes an additional flap 858 and anadditional fold line 856. Flaps 858 may be formed unitarily with tabs854 or separately and then attached to the tabs. Flaps 858 may be formedfrom the same material as tabs 854 or join a different material. Theadditional flap 858 may be disposed on the top of tab 854, as shown inFIG. 8D. In addition, leaflet 850 may have a single elongated tab 854 ononly one side of the leaflet, the elongated tab 854 being wide enough towrap over an end or tab of the next adjacent leaflet before attaching toa commissure feature.

The size and shape of the free edge of the valve leaflets may also bemodified to further improve performance. As seen in FIG. 9A, free edge752 of leaflet 750 has a curved portion c1 which attaches to tab 754 atjunction 910. When attached to a commissure feature, especially a largercommissure feature 600, such a configuration may limit the performanceand movement of free edge 752. A leaflet 850 according to the presentinvention may be formed as illustrated in FIG. 9B. Leaflet 850 mayinclude a free edge 852 having a curved portion c2 coupled to tab 854.Tab 854 may include a substantially vertical edge 855 having a heightv1. Curved portion c2 may attach to tab 854 at junction 910 adjacentvertical edge 855. Providing a vertical edge 855 on tab 854 mayfacilitate suturing of the tab to the commissure feature withoutinterfering with the function of the free edge 852 of the leaflet.

In addition to modifying the commissure feature and the leafletconfiguration, the suture pattern attaching the leaflets to thecommissure features may also be modified to improve performance. Oneexample of a modified suture pattern according to the present inventionis illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B. FIG. 10A illustrates theleaflet-commissure feature attachment as seen from the ablumenal side ofa valve assembly, while FIG. 10B illustrates the same attachment as seenfrom the lumenal side of the valve assembly.

As seen in FIG. 10A, a commissure feature 600 includes a body 602 havinga proximal end 610 and a distal end 620 similar to the examplesdescribed in FIGS. 6A-J. Commissure feature 600 may include a pluralityof eyelets 604 disposed toward the distal end 620 of body 602 and asingle, elongated eyelet 606 disposed near the proximal end 610 of thebody. Commissure feature 600 may also include a pair of recesses 608disposed on the side edges of body 602 near the proximal end 610thereof. The plurality of eyelets may include six substantially squareeyelets 604 arranged in three rows with two eyelets in each row. Eyelets604 a and 604 b are disposed in the first row of eyelets, beginning atthe proximal end 610 of body 602. Eyelets 604 c and 604 d are arrangedin the middle row of eyelets, and eyelets 604 e and 604 f are arrangedin the most distal row of eyelets.

As seen in FIG. 10B, the tabs 854 of two different leaflets 850 areattached to commissure feature 600 using a suture or multiple sutures.The following describes the use of, a single suture S to attach leaflets850 to commissure feature 600. It will be understood, however, thatmultiple sutures may be used for this purpose. For example, one suturemay attach a first leaflet 850 to commissure feature 600, while asecond, separate suture attaches the second leaflet 850 to thecommissure feature.

The use of a single suture to attach two leaflets 850 to a commissurefeature 600 will be described with reference to FIG. 10C, which shows anenlarged view of the leaflet-commissure assembly from the ablumenal sideof the valve assembly and depicts the suture pattern through severalpositions p1-16 on the assembly. It will be appreciated that FIG. 10Bshows the corresponding suture pattern from the lumenal side of thevalve assembly and that the suture pattern may be understood from thisview as well.

The suture pattern may begin at any point at or near commissure feature600 and terminate at any other point. In at least some examples, thesuture pattern begins and terminates at the same position. For the sakeof illustration, the suture pattern will be described as beginning atpoint P1, within eyelet 604 b. As used herein, with reference to FIG.10C and other figures showing the ablumenal side of the valve assembly,the term “out” indicates passing the sutures S from the lumenal side ofthe valve through the leaflet tab 854 and past the stent structure tothe ablumenal side of the valve while the term “in” indicates passingthe suture from the ablumenal side of the valve past the stent structureand through the leaflet tab 854 to the lumenal side of the valve.

The suture pattern S may begin by passing suture S out through eyelet604 b at point p1. Suture S may then be advanced in through point p2 ineyelet 604 d, back out through point p3 in eyelet 604 b, and finally inthrough point p4 in eyelet 604 d, essentially forming two loops ofsuture S around rib 651. Suture S may then be directed up toward eyelet604 f and passed out through point p5 in eyelet 604 f adjacent centralspine 655, and then in through point p6 in eyelet 604 e adjacent theopposite side of the central spine subsequently, suture S may be passedout through point p7 in eyelet 604 c in through point p8 in eyelet 604a, back out through point p9 in eyelet 604 c, and back in through pointp10 in eyelet 604 a, essentially forming two loops of sutures around rib657. Suture S may then be directed down toward elongated eyelet 606 andpassed out through point p11 in eyelet 606, over the side edge of body602 at point p12 positioned within recess 608, back out through pointp13 in eyelet 606, in through point p14 in the same eyelet, around theside edge of body 602 at point p15 within the second recess 608, and inthrough point p16 in eyelet 606. The tail (not shown) of suture S atpoint p16 may then be knotted, tied or otherwise joined to the tail (notshown) of the suture at point p1 to complete the attachment ofcommissure feature 600.

As seen in FIG. 10C, two optional loops L1 and L2 may be used to tie theleaflets 850 to the commissure feature 600 at the distal end 620 of body602. Loops L1 and L2 may be formed from one or more lengths of sutureseparate from suture S. Loop L1 may begin at point p17 in eyelet 604 e,and loop over the top of body 602, with the ends of the loop tiedtogether. Loop L2 may form a similar attachment at point p18 in eyelet604 f. As described above with particular reference to FIG. 6H, body 602may have recesses formed on the distal end 620 of body 602 to aid insecuring the loop sutures.

Another example of a suture pattern according to the present inventionis illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B. FIG. 11A illustrates theleaflet-commissure feature attachment as seen from the ablumenal side ofa valve assembly, while FIG. 11B illustrates the same attachment as seenfrom the lumenal side of the valve assembly.

As seen in FIG. 11A, a commissure feature 600 has a body 602 with aproximal end 610 and a distal end 620 similar to the examples describedin FIGS. 6A-J. Commissure feature 600 may include a single, elongatedeyelet 606 disposed near the proximal end 610 of body 602 and sixsubstantially square eyelets 604 disposed toward the distal and 620 ofthe body, the eyelets being arranged in three rows of two eyelets each.Eyelets 604 a and 604 b are disposed in the first row of eyelets,beginning the proximal end 610 of body 602. Eyelets 604 c and 604 d arearranged in the middle row of eyelets, and eyelets 604 e and 604 f arearranged in the most distal row of eyelets. A pair of recesses 608 maybe provided in the side edges of body 602 near the proximal end 610thereof.

As seen in FIG. 11B, the tabs 854 of two different leaflets 850 areattached to commissure feature 600 using a sutures. The suture patterndepicted in FIG. 11A is similar to the pattern described above withreference to FIGS. 10A-C. In addition to the horizontal stitches (asseen in FIG. 11A) within and around elongated eyelet 606 and thevertical stitches (as seen in FIG. 11A) connecting eyelet 604 a toeyelet 604 c and eyelet 604 d to eyelet 604 b, the suture patternincorporates the two most distal eyelets 604 e and 604 f using an “X”pattern. More particularly, suture S may pass out through eyelet 604 fat point p1, travel diagonally over the central spine 655 of body 602and in through point p2 in eyelet 604 e, travel horizontally (as seen inFIG. 11A) under the central spine and back out through point p3 ineyelet 604 f, and then travel diagonally over the central spine again(in the opposite orientation) and in through point p4 in eyelet 604 e,creating an “X” pattern on the ablumenal surface of the valve assembly.It will be understood that this portion of the pattern may beincorporated as part of a single suture pattern coupled to the suturepattern in the other eyelets 604 a-d and/or in the elongated eyelet 606,or may be formed as a separate suture pattern and tied together.

Another example a suture pattern according to the present invention isillustrated in FIGS. 12A and 12B. FIG. 12A illustrates theleaflet-commissure feature attachment as seen from the ablumenal side ofa valve assembly, while FIG. 12B illustrates the same attachment as seenfrom the lumenal side of the valve assembly.

The pattern of suture S illustrated in FIGS. 12A and 12B is similar tothat described above with reference to FIGS. 11A and 11B, except thatthe distal “X” pattern is disposed on the lumenal side of the valveassembly as opposed to on the ablumenal side of the assembly. Whenviewed from the ablumenal side of the assembly the suture pattern merelyreveals a horizontal stitch between eyelets 604 e and 604 f.

A suture pattern according to the present invention disposed on acommissure feature 600 having only six eyelets is illustrated in FIGS.13A and 13B. FIG. 13A illustrates the leaflet-commissure featureattachment as seen from the ablumenal side of a valve assembly, whileFIG. 13B illustrates the same attachment as seen from the lumenal sideof the valve assembly.

The suture pattern, shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B is similar to thatdescribed above with references to FIGS. 11A and 11B, without theproximal portion of the pattern incorporating elongated eyelet 606. Itwill be understood that the patterns described herein are merelyexemplary and that combinations of these patterns may be made as desireddepending on the particular structure of the commissure feature beingused. Moreover, in addition to the overall suture pattern, the order ofthe pattern may also be modified. For example, the commissure attachmentfeature may be assembled clockwise or counter-clockwise, front to back,back to front, left to right, right to left, or eyelets may be skippedand then later attached. This allows for different varying levels ofsecurity, stress concentrations, abrasion points as well as symmetricaland non-symmetrical attachments.

Although the invention herein has been described with reference toparticular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodimentsare merely illustrative of the principles and applications of thepresent invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerousmodifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that otherarrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention as defined by the appended claims. It will beappreciated that the various dependent claims and the features set forththerein can be combined in different ways than presented in the initialclaims. It will also be appreciated that the features described inconnection with individual embodiments may be shared with others of thedescribed embodiments.

1. A prosthetic heart valve, comprising: a collapsible and expandablestent having an inflow end and an outflow end, the stent including aplurality of struts defining a plurality of cells; a plurality ofcommissure attachment features disposed on the stent, each commissureattachment feature having a first end, a second end opposite the firstend, and a plurality of eyelets arranged in at least one column, thefirst end being connected to first and second struts of one of theplurality of cells, and the second end being connected to third andfourth struts of another one of the plurality of cells, wherein thefirst and third struts connected to each commissure attachment featureare connected at points that longitudinally align with one another, andthe second and fourth struts connected to each commissure attachmentfeature are connected at points that longitudinally align with oneanother; and a collapsible and expandable valve assembly including aplurality of leaflets connected to the plurality of commissureattachment features.
 2. The prosthetic heart valve of claim 1, whereineach commissure attachment feature has a central longitudinal axis andat least three rows of eyelets, each of the at least three rows ofeyelets being symmetrical about the central longitudinal axis.
 3. Theprosthetic heart valve of claim 2, wherein the eyelets of eachcommissure attachment feature are arranged in a single column.
 4. Theprosthetic heart valve of claim 1, wherein the eyelets of eachcommissure attachment feature are aligned along a central longitudinalaxis of the commissure attachment feature.
 5. The prosthetic heart valveof claim 1, wherein the eyelets of each commissure attachment featureare arranged in three rows.
 6. The prosthetic heart valve of claim 1,wherein the eyelets of each commissure attachment feature have the sameshape and size as one another.
 7. The prosthetic heart valve of claim 1,wherein each commissure attachment feature includes a single body. 8.The prosthetic heart valve of claim 1, wherein each commissureattachment feature includes multiple bodies.
 9. The prosthetic heartvalve of claim 8, wherein the multiple bodies are longitudinally alignedwith one another.
 10. The prosthetic heart valve of claim 1, whereinadjacent rows of eyelets are equally spaced from one another.
 11. Theprosthetic heart valve of claim 1, wherein, when the stent is in anexpanded condition, the inflow end of the stent has a first diameter andthe outflow end of the stent has a second diameter greater than thefirst diameter.
 12. The prosthetic heart valve of claim 11, wherein aportion of the stent nearer the inflow end is cylindrical when the stentis in the expanded condition.
 13. The prosthetic heart valve of claim12, wherein each commissure attachment feature is disposed at leastpartially on the cylindrical portion of the stent.
 14. The prostheticheart valve of claim 1, wherein the stent is cylindrical when in acollapsed condition.
 15. The prosthetic heart valve of claim 1, whereinthe cell having the first and second struts is longitudinally adjacentto the cell having the third and fourth struts.
 16. The prosthetic heartvalve of claim 15, wherein the first and third struts partially define afirst of the plurality of cells, and the second and fourth strutspartially define a second of the plurality of cells circumferentiallyadjacent to the first cell.
 17. A prosthetic heart valve, comprising: acollapsible and expandable stent having an inflow end and an outflowend, the stent including a plurality of struts defining a plurality ofcells, the plurality of cells including at least first and secondcircumferential annular rows of cells, the second circumferential rowbeing spaced apart from the inflow end; a plurality of commissureattachment features disposed on the stent adjacent the second annularrow of cells, each commissure attachment feature having a first end, asecond end opposite the first end, and a plurality of eyelets arrangedin at least one column, the first end being connected to first andsecond struts of one of the plurality of cells of the second annularrow; and a collapsible and expandable valve assembly including aplurality of leaflets connected to the plurality of commissureattachment features.
 18. The prosthetic heart valve of claim 17, whereineach commissure attachment feature has a central longitudinal axis andat least three rows of eyelets, each of the at least three rows ofeyelets being symmetrical about the central longitudinal axis.
 19. Theprosthetic heart valve of claim 17, wherein the valve assembly spans atleast the first and second circumferential annular rows of cells. 20.The prosthetic heart valve of claim 19, wherein the valve assemblyfurther includes a cuff covering at least a portion of the first andsecond circumferential annular rows of cells.
 21. A prosthetic heartvalve, comprising: a collapsible and expandable stent having an inflowend and an outflow end, the stent including a plurality of strutsdefining a plurality of cells; a plurality of commissure attachmentfeatures disposed on the stent, each commissure attachment feature beingsubstantially rectangular with rounded corners and having a first end, asecond end opposite the first end, and a plurality of eyelets arrangedin at least one column, the first end being connected to first andsecond struts of one of the plurality of cells, and the second end beingconnected to third and fourth struts of another one of the plurality ofcells; and a collapsible and expandable valve assembly including aplurality of leaflets connected to the plurality of commissureattachment features.
 22. The prosthetic heart valve of claim 21, whereineach commissure attachment feature has a central longitudinal axis andat least three rows of eyelets, each of the at least three rows ofeyelets being symmetrical about the central longitudinal axis.
 23. Theprosthetic heart valve of claim 22, wherein the eyelets of eachcommissure attachment feature are arranged in a single column.
 24. Theprosthetic heart valve of claim 21, wherein the eyelets of eachcommissure attachment feature have the same shape and size as oneanother.
 25. A prosthetic heart valve, comprising: a collapsible andexpandable stent having an inflow end and an outflow end, the stentincluding a plurality of struts defining a plurality of cells, theplurality of cells including at least first and second circumferentialannular rows of cells, the second circumferential row being spaced apartfrom the inflow end; a plurality of commissure attachment featuresdisposed on the stent adjacent the second annular row of cells, eachcommissure attachment feature being substantially rectangular withrounded corners and having a first end, a second end opposite the firstend, and a plurality of eyelets arranged in at least one column, thefirst end being connected to first and second struts of one of theplurality of cells of the second annular row, and the second end beingconnected to third and fourth struts of another one of the plurality ofcells, wherein the first and third struts connected to each commissureattachment feature are connected at points that longitudinally alignwith one another, and the second and fourth struts connected to eachcommissure attachment feature are connected at points thatlongitudinally align with one another; and a collapsible and expandablevalve assembly including a cuff and a plurality of leaflets connected tothe plurality of commissure attachment features, a first end of the cuffsubstantially following a contour of the inflow end of the stent. 26.The prosthetic heart valve of claim 25, wherein the third and fourthstruts are not in the first or second circumferential annular rows ofcells.
 27. The prosthetic heart valve of claim 25, wherein eachcommissure attachment feature has a central longitudinal axis and atleast three rows of eyelets, each of the at least three rows of eyeletsbeing symmetrical about the central longitudinal axis.
 28. Theprosthetic heart valve of claim 27, wherein the eyelets of eachcommissure attachment feature are arranged in a single column.
 29. Theprosthetic heart valve of claim 25, wherein the eyelets of eachcommissure attachment feature are aligned along a central longitudinalaxis of the commissure attachment feature.
 30. The prosthetic heartvalve of claim 25, wherein the eyelets of each commissure attachmentfeature have the same shape and size as one another.